Vahan Babayan and Arshak Musakhanyan shared thoughts on the constitutional changes and upcoming referendum on December 6.

Vahan Babayan from the Prosperous Armenia Faction spoke on the main three reasons why people should say “Yes” to the constitutional changes. “First of all, the end to the hyper centralization of power and increase of balances between the three power branches, establishment of a free independent judicial system and, thirdly, more possibilities of monitoring for the opposition.”

Arshak Musakhanyan from the You Won’t Pass Civic Initiative described as absurdity Vahan Babayan’s statement that the proposed constitution fixes the increasing role of the opposition and that the authorities have begun caring about their opponents.

Musakhanyan asked a rhetorical question, “And was the opposition alliance of the three which existed some eight months ago and to which the Prosperous Armenia Party and you, Mister Babayan were members of a bad one? Let’s stop telling stories about how the proposed constitution will double the opposition’s possibilities. It is impossible as long as the new constitution will eliminate counterbalances and create a single party monopoly,” said Musakhanyan.

Musakhanyan went on to say the concept of constitutional changes is a mechanism for the authorities to stay in power, and thus, the overthrow of the current government may be possible only if the constitutional changes are not passed.

“All the factions can take part in the discussions on the Election Code and make their proposals. Yet, the Republican Party has the majority of seats and no one can take this privilege. On the other hand, the opposition lawmakers have never been deprived of the right to set forth their proposals and criticize,” disagreed Babayan.

The media regularly reportes that the old mine dumps of Akhtala Mountain Enrich Combinat, situated between Chochkan and Mets Ayrum communities in Lori region, poses a danger to the environment and the population.

On March 2, 2018, the RA National Assembly will elect the 4th President of Armenia. On January 18, Armen Sargsyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, was nominated as the candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Armenia during the meeting of the executive body of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

On January 13, RA Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan posted on his Facebook page about the treatment expenses of military serviceman Albert Dallakyan, who was wounded as a result of violating the rules for safe handling with a weapon by the platoon commander. The minister urged to donate for surgery of the wounded soldier abroad. The required amount is 46,000 USD.

The most urgent issue for conscripts involves the health issues and medical conclusions during conscriptions. In 2016-2017, 50 out of 59 applications filed by the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor Office referred to the health issues of conscripts.